ADOM :: Statement on the transportation of migrants to Martha's Vineyard and immigration policy

By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

Tallahassee (Sept. 16, 2022) ... The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following statement Sept. 16, 2022:

Reports of Florida involvement in transporting migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard are disconcerting. Any action to transport persons under false pretenses and leave them stranded with no assistance would be to diminish their human dignity and objectify them.

Immigration is not just a political issue, but a fundamental human and moral issue. For immigrants are not faceless numbers – but human persons. They are our brothers and sisters.

Our broken immigration system is a problem; but immigrants themselves are not “problems.” Immigrants have been good for America, and America has been good for them.

While reasonable people may disagree on how our nation should respond, any effective response demands that we recognize that immigration is more than a “border security” issue but is essentially about our labor markets and the men and women who fill the jobs that continue to make America strong. Justice and prudence demand that we treat them with dignity and find a reasonable way for their contributions and presence to be recognized within the law.

Comments from readers

Jorge M Diez-de-Onate - 09/21/2022 04:49 PM

I totally agree with Alain's comments.

Colin Bowe - 09/21/2022 04:48 PM

Archbishop Wenski's column in the September 2022 edition of the Florida Catholic, entitled: “Immigration: a human and moral issue”, was indeed inspiring and made me proud to be Catholic. That article rightly applauded immigrants as a blessing to the United Sates and criticized “our broken immigration system” as a travesty that needs to be addressed by Congress “on both sides of the aisle”. I state this as a second generation immigrant, who is very grateful to be an American. Regrettably, the September 16 statement from the Archdiocese of Miami about the transportation of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, appears to be a political diatribe that was based on other “Reports”. As its author should know, most media reports are anything but truthful these days. We live in a world that is bereft of the journalistic principles of verification and accuracy. Principles which evidently are also not practiced by the Archdiocese Communications Department. I believe that the Catholic Church should be always factual and apolitical in its statements. To state that migrants were transported to Martha’s Vineyard under false pretenses and left stranded with no assistance, appears to be untrue based on what I have read and seen about the event. If I am mistaken, and you interviewed the migrants in question and the persons who organized their trip to Martha’s Vineyard, and then verified what they told you, please accept my apologies. Respectfully, Colin Bowe

Michael Martin - 09/20/2022 09:56 AM

"Disconconcerting"? A toothless response for acts so dehumanizing and vile, perpetrated by our very own Catholic Governor. It's sad how these evils do not ignite the same "communion wars" over Catholic politicians as other life issues do. Sad but unsurprising given the church's relentless involvement in GOP politics.

Alain - 09/17/2022 09:11 PM

America welcomes immigrants but illegal aliens invading our country which will change the culture for political gains must be resisted at all cost. True catholic charity of taking care of immigrants is commanded by our blessed lord but illegal aliens seeking government handouts that are political pawns must be stopped. Pray your rosary everyday.

Jorge M Diez-de-Onate - 09/21/2022 04:49 PM: I totally agree with Alain's comments.

Colin Bowe - 09/21/2022 04:48 PM: Archbishop Wenski's column in the September 2022 edition of the Florida Catholic, entitled: “Immigration: a human and moral issue”, was indeed inspiring and made me proud to be Catholic. That article rightly applauded immigrants as a blessing to the United Sates and criticized “our broken immigration system” as a travesty that needs to be addressed by Congress “on both sides of the aisle”. I state this as a second generation immigrant, who is very grateful to be an American. Regrettably, the September 16 statement from the Archdiocese of Miami about the transportation of migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, appears to be a political diatribe that was based on other “Reports”. As its author should know, most media reports are anything but truthful these days. We live in a world that is bereft of the journalistic principles of verification and accuracy. Principles which evidently are also not practiced by the Archdiocese Communications Department. I believe that the Catholic Church should be always factual and apolitical in its statements. To state that migrants were transported to Martha’s Vineyard under false pretenses and left stranded with no assistance, appears to be untrue based on what I have read and seen about the event. If I am mistaken, and you interviewed the migrants in question and the persons who organized their trip to Martha’s Vineyard, and then verified what they told you, please accept my apologies. Respectfully, Colin Bowe

Michael Martin - 09/20/2022 09:56 AM: "Disconconcerting"? A toothless response for acts so dehumanizing and vile, perpetrated by our very own Catholic Governor. It's sad how these evils do not ignite the same "communion wars" over Catholic politicians as other life issues do. Sad but unsurprising given the church's relentless involvement in GOP politics.

Alain - 09/17/2022 09:11 PM: America welcomes immigrants but illegal aliens invading our country which will change the culture for political gains must be resisted at all cost. True catholic charity of taking care of immigrants is commanded by our blessed lord but illegal aliens seeking government handouts that are political pawns must be stopped. Pray your rosary everyday.

Statements | Friday, September 16, 2022

Statement on the transportation of migrants to Martha's Vineyard and immigration policy

By Communications Department - Archdiocese of Miami

Comments from readers